A Republican campaign memo obtained by The Daily Wire argues that President Donald Trump’s State of the Union reinforced what the party sees as the top two midterm issues: the economy and immigration.
The memo, circulated on Wednesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, urges GOP Senate campaigns to emphasize that Republicans are “delivering on the Trump economic agenda.”
“Following President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU), the political environment is defined by two simple realities: the economy remains the top issue for voters and Republicans hold a measurable advantage on it, as well as on immigration, border security, and national security,” the memo states.
It adds that the data shows Trump is “aligned with public priorities” and that “voters increasingly trust Republicans to handle the issues they care about most.”
The memo cites January polling data from Marquette Law School showing that voters rank the economy, immigration, and healthcare as their top three issues. In the January 21-28 survey, Republicans held a three-point advantage over Democrats on the economy and led on tax policy, crime, and immigration.
A Fox News poll conducted January 23-26 found Republicans with a 15-point lead on border security, a 12-point advantage on national security, and a five-point edge on immigration. The same survey showed Democrats leading on taxes, healthcare, and transgender issues. By contrast, the Marquette poll found Republicans holding a nine-point advantage on taxes.
The NRSC focuses on defending Republican incumbents and flipping competitive seats as the party seeks to maintain and possibly expand its 53-47 Senate majority. The Cook Political Report currently ranks Senate races in Georgia, North Carolina, Maine, and Michigan as toss-ups, with additional closely watched contests underway in New Hampshire, Alaska, and Ohio.
Trump’s address focused heavily on affordability and immigration, themes Republicans argue resonate as Americans file their taxes and as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in Congress.
“Last year, I urged this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history and our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully,” the president said.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, slammed the president’s address in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have enacted a toxic and historically unpopular agenda that has made life harder and more expensive for families nationwide,” Gillibrand said.
She added that Republicans “gutted Americans’ health care, raised costs, and handed out a massive tax giveaway to billionaires,” arguing that voters would vote for Democrats “to bring down costs, protect health care, and win back the Senate majority.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democratic response to Trump’s SOTU address, emphasizing affordability and criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Spanberger also pointed to her recent electoral victory, even as Republicans in Virginia have slammed a wave of new tax proposals advanced by the Democrats in the General Assembly.
